When Sera’s father is killed in a horrific accident, all he leaves behind is a mysterious key. Strange characters arrive in town including Angels, who claim to be sent for her protection. Sera falls hard for one of them but what if his promise of love is only a ruse to gain access to the key? Guided by clues left by her father, Sera searches for the hidden chamber beneath the city, hoping to save what lies within before the sinister mayor and his deadly followers drown humanity in a bloodbath.

Alone on a crippled spaceship, there is also no heat, no light and no hope. Cera's world of the future has forgotten Christmas entirely, so the shiny orbs and antique book salvaged from a dead crewmate's belongings are a mystery to her. In her final hours, waiting hopelessly for rescue she finds solace in the strange and magical tale of The Nutcracker Prince and the Mouse King.

Though beloved by generations, the story of the nutracker and other toys coming to life on Christmas Eve and waging a fierce battle with evil mice is rather wacky. However,the characters and the mystique of what to Cera is an unknown celebration lost to antiquity become her lifeline--wrapping herself in the story the same way she wraps herself in her spacesuit and cabin restraints in order to survive as long as possible.

For those of us who love books it is not difficult to imagine how one becomes lost in an enchanting story, taking our minds to other places and times, and distancing ourselves from our troubles. Facing a slow and certain death, Cera's choice to escape into a book is both commendable and heartbreaking. Ironic that reading a crazy book is the very thing that keeps her sane in unthinkable circumstances. But when her air runs low and she begins hallucinating, the Prince becomes a very real hero, saving Cera in more ways than one.

The Future Nutcracker Prince contains some disturbing typos and word choices, almost as though it's been translated from another language. That's the only reason for not givng this book five stars. The overall charm of the story makes these easy to overlook. A highly recommended read!